Method of making a cleaning solution from hydrogel cleaning concentrate and packaged cleaning concentrate

Abstract

Methods of making a (e.g. dilute) cleaning solution from a hydrogel cleaning concentrate, packages of hydrogel cleaning concentrate, and methods of making a hydrogel cleaning concentrate are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of making a cleaning solution comprising:
 providing a mass of a hydrogel cleaning concentrate wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate is provided as a plurality of discrete free-flowing pieces ranging in size from about 0.5 mm to 5 mm or a unitary mass having larger dimensions than the pieces, the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate comprising an active cleaning component and a homogeneous mixture of a water insoluble polymer comprising crosslinked poly(alkylene)oxide (meth)acrylate units and polar solvent; 
 combining the hydrogel cleaning concentrate with water in an amount of at least 10 times the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate to form a cleaning solution; and 
 separating the insoluble polymer from the cleaning solution. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the active cleaning component is selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, an acid, a base, an enzyme and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate and water are combined in a receptacle and the receptacle comprises a means for separating the insoluble polymer from the cleaning solution. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the receptacle is a gravity-fed receptacle that attaches to a water dispensing system. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate is contained within a water permeable and water insoluble enclosure and the enclosure is combined with the water. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein the enclosure comprises a nonwoven material. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5  wherein the enclosure comprises a refillable cartridge. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning solution reaches a ready to use concentration in less than 15 minutes. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning solution reaches a ready to use concentration in less than 1 minute. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the water insoluble polymer further comprises photoinitiator. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the discrete pieces are beads, fibers, or particles. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 5  wherein the enclosure comprises a first hydrogel cleaning concentrate mass comprising a first active cleaning component and a second hydrogel cleaning concentrate mass comprising a different active cleaning component than the first hydrogel cleaning concentrate mass. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein the hydrogel cleaning concentrate is separated from the cleaning solution and recombined with water to form a second cleaning solution. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein the water is statically combined with the cleaning concentrate. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1  wherein the water is dynamically combined with the concentrate. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate is combined with water in an amount ranging from 50 to 500 times the mass of the hydrogel cleaning concentrate. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate comprises about 25 wt-% to 70 wt-% of the water insoluble polymer and 15 wt-% to 75 wt-% of the polar solvent. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate comprises at least 5 wt-% of surfactant. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein the polar solvent in combination with the surfactant has a surface energy of no greater than 30 mN/m. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate further comprises an antimicrobial agent, fragrance, or combination thereof. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 1  wherein the water insoluble polymer does not become a component of the cleaning solution. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate provides a means for dry delivery of liquid cleaning concentrates. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mass of hydrogel cleaning concentrate feels dry to the touch.